**Title:** Bombay High Court Critiques Police’s Copy-Paste Culture in Witness Statements
**Meta Description:** The Bombay High Court condemns the copy-paste culture in police witness statements, urging immediate reforms to ensure justice.
**URL Slug:** bombay-high-court-police-witness-statements-reform
**Headline:** Bombay High Court Calls for Reforms in Police Witness Statement Recording Practices
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a strong condemnation of the widespread “copy-paste culture” observed in the recording of witness statements by police. This critique arose during the hearing of a plea filed by Amol Nikam and four family members, who sought to quash proceedings linked to an FIR registered at the Erandol Police Station in Jalgaon district on February 24, 2024.
Initially categorized as an accidental death, the case was later reclassified to abetment of suicide and subsequently under Section 305 of the Indian Penal Code after it was confirmed that the deceased was a 17-year-old minor girl. Although the bench, consisting of Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Sanjay A Deshmukh, initially seemed reluctant to grant relief—leading to the withdrawal of the petition—the court took notice of the concerning practices surrounding the recording of statements under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The court expressed alarm at the mechanical and negligent approach taken by the police, stating, “Even in serious offences, the investigating officer has literally made copy-paste of the statements.” The judges highlighted that identical statements from different witnesses, often starting and ending with the same phrases, are indicative of a troubling trend. They labeled this practice as “dangerous,” warning that such uniformity could inadvertently aid the accused and undermine the integrity of legitimate cases.
In light of these findings, the court appointed Advocate Mukul Kulkarni as amicus curiae to assist in drafting a petition aimed at recommending systemic reforms. The court emphasized the necessity for the State to establish specific guidelines for investigating officers, particularly regarding the proper recording of witness statements. The amicus curiae has been tasked with submitting a report by June 20, with the next hearing scheduled for June 27.
This development underscores the urgent need for reform in police practices to ensure that the justice system operates effectively and fairly, safeguarding the rights of victims and maintaining the credibility of the judicial process.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: Why is the Bombay High Court concerned about the copy-paste culture in witness statements?**
A: The court is concerned that identical witness statements undermine the credibility of cases and could inadvertently benefit the accused, highlighting the need for systemic reforms in police practices.
